Heroin Abuse, Overdoses Increasing in Jacksonville

April 22, 2016

The number of emergency calls, arrests and overdoses involving heroin is rising rapidly in the Jacksonville area. Sheriffs from Clay, Duval and Nassau counties held a joint press conference in early March in response to the epidemic.

Jacksonville fire rescue teams recently told News 4 Jax that emergency calls haven’t slowed since.

“It’s becoming a routine now,” Jacksonville paramedic Chuck Baldwin said. “We actually go to them almost every shift. It’s scary, and I feel for my kids. I think it’s something that affects the entire community, and as parents and citizens we really have to get involved.”

According to data from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, heroin-related deaths and arrests in Duval County jumped from 2014 to 2015.

Nearby Clay and Nassau counties are also seeing increases.

“Prior to this year, we did not see any heroin-related deaths in Nassau County,” Nassau County Sheriff Mike Williams said at the press conference. “Since February 17, we’ve investigated three possible heroin-related deaths.”

In Clay County, the number of heroin cases quadrupled during the past four years, according to Action News Jax.

People suffering from heroin addiction aren’t seeking the treatment they need to recover either.

“They have no, ‘Oh gosh, that was a bad decision I made. I almost lost my life.’ That’s not the case,” Baldwin said. “We are seeing people who are overdosing and sometimes go back to them later in the day for another one.”

Heroin addiction isn’t a law enforcement problem. Jacksonville public health officials are calling for increased prevention and awareness efforts in the community.

“Without a community-based intervention and without raising awareness, we expect these numbers to climb,” Duval County Health Department director Dr. Kelli Wells said at the press conference.

Authorities Blame Pill Mill Crackdown for Heroin Increases

Authorities in the tri-county area seem to agree that the statewide crackdown on pill mills in 2010 and 2011 left people addicted to prescription opioid painkillers without a way to ease their cravings.

“We understand what is going on out there on the street and within the drug culture,” Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams said at the press conference. “We want to make everyone aware. With the closure of the pill mills years ago, you have a population addicted to opiate-based drugs.”

The pill mill crackdown combined with national efforts to develop abuse-deterrent opioids and limit unnecessary opioid prescriptions has made it more difficult to obtain painkillers.

“With the difficulty in getting prescription drugs, some of these folks have chosen to go to heroin, which is a nasty drug,” Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Assistant Chief Mike Johnson told Actions News Jax. “Our challenge is knowing what the current trends are, what our youth are probably getting involved in and tailoring our investigative techniques to stop that issue or at least slow it down.”

Authorities are worried that people addicted to opioids may be unaware of treatment options in Jacksonville. However, northeast Florida is home to several certified drug rehab facilities.

Dr. Wells had one piece of advice for people addicted to heroin: “More than anything, I implore you, as loved ones, as members of the community, as those of you who may have drug problems yourself, to reach out for assistance immediately.”

Medical Disclaimer: DrugRehab.com aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.

View Sources

• Kelton, P. (2016, April 19). Action News Jax Investigates: Heroin epidemic changes how law enforcement fights crime. Retrieved from http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/action-news-jax-investigates-heroin-epidemic-changes-how-law-enforcement-fights-crime/60762047
• Kelton, P. (2016, April 19). Action News Jax Investigates: Resurgence of heroin in North Florida. Retrieved from http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/investigates/action-news-jax-investigates-resurgence-of-heroin-in-north-florida/60509954
• Mitchem, A. (2016, March 25). Firefighter says heroin overdose calls becoming routine. Retrieved from http://www.news4jax.com/news/local/jacksonville/firefighter-says-heroin-overdose-calls-becoming-routine
• Snyder, N. (2016, March 4). Jacksonville sees epidemic in heroin use, dramatic increase in ODs. Retrieved from http://www.news4jax.com/news/heroin-overdoses-increase-in-jacksonville
• Treen, D. (2016, March 4). Shutdown in pill mills has created spike in heroin use, resulting in increased deaths, arrests. Retrieved from http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2016-03-04/story/shutdown-pill-mills-has-created-spike-heroin-use-resulting-increased#

---